| So, you're taking a family holiday in France, but have | | | | those who love big rollercoasters and thrills while in |
| no idea where to take the kids? You can't go wrong | | | | France. A hotel is on site for those who think they'll |
| with theme parks, and thankfully France has got a fair | | | | spend more than a day there - easily done considering |
| few of them. Here's the pick of the biggest ones, | | | | the park's size! |
| guaranteed to keep the kids quiet (or screaming loudly | | | | Futuroscope |
| depending on the ride!) on your family holiday in France. | | | | One of the most famous theme parks in France, and |
| Any of these makes for a great excursion for all ages | | | | once again breaking the traditional grounds of |
| - just make sure you leave your hotel in France early, | | | | rollercoasters and waterslides, Futuroscope is a theme |
| as they get busy quite quickly! | | | | park worked entirely around film. With many 3d |
| Puy du Fou | | | | cinemas and other attractions and shows (some of |
| Puy du Fou is a bit of a curveball to begin the list - it | | | | which are the only examples in the world), the park is |
| has no slides, roller coasters or mini trains. Instead you | | | | an excellent choice for those looking to holiday further |
| get elaborate shows charting the history of the area, | | | | south of Paris. Although the films are in French, |
| stunning scenery and a fun, educational day out. If the | | | | headsets with translations are available, but to be |
| word "educational" is likely to make your kids run for | | | | honest it's more about the experience than the |
| the hills, perhaps you should sell them on the main | | | | dialogue. The real pick of the attractions is the motion |
| event: a huge outdoor stage behind the castle-ruins | | | | sensitive chairs, which react to the action on screen - |
| recalls 700 years of the local history on the world's | | | | just as thrilling as your average rollercoaster! |
| largest stage with thousands of actors, hundreds of | | | | Disneyland Paris |
| horses and around 400 fireworks per performance! | | | | The Disneyland Park needs no introduction. With an |
| Understandably this is quite costly, so is only on in high | | | | impressive array of rides and all your kids' favourite |
| season - check it's on in advance, but if it is don't | | | | Disney franchises represented, it's no wonder it's such |
| hesitate in making this a central part of your family | | | | a popular part of family holidays in France. The pick of |
| holiday in France. | | | | the rides has to be Space Mountain - not for the weak |
| Parc Asterix | | | | of heart, with double corkscrews and 360 degree |
| Parc Asterix is a theme park based around the comic | | | | loop-the-loops in near darkness really testing your |
| book (and subsequent film) adventures of Asterix the | | | | mettle! With shows, rides and an incomparable |
| Gaul. Despite the licensing deal limiting its scope, it's | | | | atmosphere, Disneyland is deservedly one of the most |
| actually an excellent theme park and a great | | | | famous attractions in France. A hotel is on site, too so |
| alternative to Disneyland Paris (which is just 20 miles | | | | you can be within easy reach if you're planning multiple |
| away). It has a wide range of rollercoasters, themed | | | | visits. |
| around characters and places from the books (the log | | | | You're not short of reasons to leave your hotel in |
| flume takes the form of 'Menhir Express', for example.) | | | | France, but there are few attractions as effective as |
| Not only is it a great choice for fans of the comic | | | | theme parks at keeping the kids happy! Bon voyage! |
| books, but a terrific theme park in its own right for | | | | |